Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a Spencer County off-road vehicle (ORV) accident that claimed the life of a passenger.
At approximately 3:44 p.m. on Oct. 19, first responders were dispatched to near the area of County Road North and County Road 125 West.
Upon arrival, officers learned that Melvin Melsheimer, 80, of Tennyson in Warrick County, was helping a juvenile operate a side-by-side ORV when they left the roadway and went into a ditch before striking a tree.
On-scene lifesaving measures performed on Melsheimer were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead.
No helmets or safety equipment were in use at the time of the accident, which remains under investigation.
Responding agencies included the Spencer County Sheriff’s Department, Chrisney Fire Department, Jackson Fire Department, and Spencer County Emergency Ambulance Service.
Indiana Conservation Officers remind the public that ORV operators and passengers should always wear a helmet, protective riding gear, and use all ORV safety restraints.
Information on ORV laws and safe operating procedures is at offroad-ed.com/in/handbook and on.IN.gov/offroading.